Eli5: Why are nuclear power plants smoke stacks shaped so differently from others?

Question

If it’s just for steam why make it different?

In: 13

Answer 1

* Those aren’t smoke stacks as nuclear energy production doesn’t produce smoke.
* They are cooling towers to cool down the water that was heated up to turn the generators.
* Also they can be used at other power plants, not just nuclear plants.
* For example a coal fired plant near my house used to vent its warm water into the nearby river but the increase in water temp was messing with the fish and other plants and animals living in the river.
* So cooling towers were installed instead.